Social Media: An Emotional Double-Edged Sword
Hi readers! Shayla Love here, science journalist and longtime fan of Your Mileage May Vary. I’m honored to be subbing for Sigal while she’s out on parental leave. I’m diving into your questions as a way to help understand human nature and our choices through multiple lenses: philosophical, psychological, and beyond. Please send in any emotional, body/brain, sociological, perceptual, or other kind of life quandaries you might have.
Being online is extremely stressful and unpleasant, and on days I don’t use Twitter, or Bluesky, or any other social media, I typically feel much better mentally — less stressed about the posts I see and less upset about the state of the world.
There’s two problems: The first is that I think it’s pretty irresponsible to put yourself and your emotional comfort above being informed and active in debates about the future. I have a non-insignificant following on both sites, and it would be a bit of a dereliction of duty to give up my influence over my followers for it. The other part is that this non-insignificant online presence has helped me in my non-professional writing career pretty significantly, and I wouldn’t have either source materials or similar opportunities if it wasn’t for my online presence.
So, all in all, there’s pretty strong reasons to not be there. There’s pretty strong reasons to be there. There’s pretty strong personal benefits from leaving and pretty strong personal benefits from staying. Should I stop being online?
Exploring the Luddite Philosophy in the Digital Age
Dear Wishfully-Off-the-Grid,
I feel you. Recently, I noticed posters throughout New York City promoting the “Summer of Ludd”—a series of offline events organized by a group aiming to revive the philosophy of the Luddites, a 19th-century movement against automation that negatively affected laborers. I attended one of their lectures, intrigued by how this historical perspective might address your concerns about detaching from social media while staying informed.
The term “Luddite” often carries a negative connotation, labeling individuals who resist technological advancements. However, historical Luddites were not against all technology; they opposed machines that diminished labor rights and benefitted wealthy merchants. As journalist Brian Merchant notes in “Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech,” these individuals sought to protect their livelihoods, leading to acts of resistance against exploitative technology.
The neo-Luddites I encountered echoed this mistrust of modern big tech while also questioning the necessity of online presence for grassroots activism. One organizer expressed, “Can we get a bunch of people together in a room without using any of these platforms?” The answer was a resounding yes, as many young individuals showed up to engage in real-life discussions.
The Limitations of Online Engagement
This idea aligns with a growing concern about how online interactions can hinder authentic communication. Research from Princeton and Stanford indicates that simply encountering differing opinions online rarely alters people’s beliefs or behaviors. Furthermore, the feedback loops of social media can reinforce extreme viewpoints rather than foster understanding.
While the internet offers unprecedented connection, it also fosters isolation, particularly among vulnerable populations. For many, time spent online exacerbates feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Conversely, spending less time on social media and more time in community-building activities has been personally transformative for people like me. By engaging in mutual aid groups, for example, I have cultivated meaningful relationships that contribute positively to my sense of agency and community involvement.
Finding Balance: Offline vs. Online Connections
It’s crucial to strike a balance with digital engagement. While social media can serve personal connections — like sharing milestones or staying updated with distant friends — it should not be the primary source of social interaction or activism. Reassessing your social media use can lead to discovering fulfilling offline experiences.
As political scientist Bill Hartung noted, creating engaging real-life experiences can diminish our reliance on social media. Rather than viewing the shift as a burdensome task, we can choose to invest in enriching offline lives that naturally attract us away from screens.
Ultimately, you’re encouraged to evaluate the time spent online versus offline and seek out what genuinely enhances your well-being. Engaging with your community through local events and nurturing face-to-face relationships can create a more fulfilling and grounded life experience.
Conclusion
In closing, it may not be about abandoning social media altogether but rather redefining how you use it. Reclaiming social networks for meaningful connections and considering the value of offline interactions can significantly enhance your emotional well-being. As we navigate the complexities of modern connectivity, prioritizing real-life relationships and local involvement may yield greater satisfaction and purpose.
For further insights into digital consciousness and lifestyle choices, visit this article.
Image Credit: www.vox.com
